COVID-19 and sarbecovirus immunogen design
In order to respond to the COVID19 pandemic, the lab designed a number of subunit vaccine candidates using the structure of the Spike Glycoprotein as a starting point, combined with data from previous efforts to produce a vaccine for the SARS outbreak of 2002. This resulted in a thermostable vaccine formulation that might not require a cold-chain, facilitating distribution and use in low and middle income countries. Subsequently, we have further improved the immunogenicity through various protein engineering strategies and shown that the formulations are broadly protective in multiple small animal challenge studies. Similar approaches are being used to design thermostable vaccine formulations against other sarbecoviruses.
In collaboration with the IISc incubated startup Mynvax, we are moving the downselected COVID-19 formulation into clinical testing.